Blow Dryer and Controls for Same

ABSTRACT

A hand-held hair dryer has a body with an air intake and an outlet nozzle. A heating element is positioned within the body between the air intake and the outlet nozzle. A handle extends from the body and defines a hand grip. A temperature controller is located on a surface of the body and configured to control the temperature of the heating element. The temperature controller can lie essentially flush with or below a level of the surface of the body around the temperature controller. A motor control switch can be provided on the handle to operate a motor for directing air from the intake to the heating element and then to the outlet nozzle.

BACKGROUND

1. Field of the Disclosure

The present invention is generally directed to hand-held hair dryers,and more particularly to a blow dryer with improved controls and controlplacement.

2. Description of Related Art

Most hand-held hair dryers or blow dryers generally have a body and ahandle that extends from the body. The user holds the blow dryer by thehandle and aims an outlet nozzle such that warm or hot air toward isdirected toward the user's head to dry their hair. The various controlsto operate the blow dryer are typically found on the forward or frontfacing surface of the handle. The blow dryer controls are typicallyconfigured in the form of one or more toggle switches or slide-typeswitches. A conventional slide or toggle-type switch has two or threediscrete settings or positions selectable by the user. The user can turnthe blower or fan motor on or off and can typically choose between atleast a low speed and high speed fan or motor setting.

A number of blow dryers also have a control so that the user can choosebetween optional air temperature settings, such as between low and highheat settings, or between low, medium, and high, heat settings. Inaddition, some blow dryers have a “cool shot” button located on thehandle as well. The cool shot button is also typically located on thehandle, but sometimes at a position different from the main blow dryercontrol switches. A cool shot button can be pressed to turn off theheating element but not the fan motor, thus allowing a user to directunheated or ambient air from the blow dryer.

It can be difficult for a user to hold or grasp the blow dryer by thehandle and at the same time operate or adjust the various controls,i.e., the switches and/or buttons. This is because these various devicesare located on the handle itself, often covered by the user's handgrasping or gripping the handle. Thus, a user must typically hold thebody of the blow dryer with one hand while selecting the appropriateoperation modes for the various controls and then re-grasp the handlefor use. It is also possible, while using the blow dryer, toaccidentally or inadvertently alter one or more of the settings of theblow dryer. This is because the user's hand may inadvertently contactone or more of the switches and/or buttons and change its settingunintentionally.

Manufacturers of hand-held hair dryers or blow dryers have attempted toimprove ergonomics of the controls on such devices. In one example, ahair dryer has been produced that eliminates the handle altogether andrequires the user to hold the body of the blow dryer like a football.Such a blow dryer has been found by many users to be difficult to holdand operate. This is partly because the blow dryer body with no handleis quite unconventional. The body may also be more expensive tomanufacture because the body must be adequately insulated orheat-shielded so that the body does not become too hot to hold duringuse. In other examples, manufacturers offer blow dryers with handleshaving the controls placed at different locations on the handle, such ason the sides or the back surface of the handle. These solutions,however, have not provided ready and easy access to, and adjustment of,such controls.

Some manufacturers utilizing slide-type switches for one or both the fanmotor control and the temperature control while other manufacturersutilize a toggle-type switch for one or both of these controls. However,regardless of the type of control, the switches are typically under ordirectly adjacent the hand of the user grasping the handle during use ofthe blow dryer. Thus, it is difficult for a user to adjust any of thesettings of the blow dryer on the fly, i.e., while using the blow dryeror even while simply holding the blow dryer by the handle.

In addition, the typical controls with discrete setting positionsprovided on the blow dryer handle limit the number of setting optionsfrom which a user can choose. The typical blow dryer fan motor controlmay utilize a switch that allows for off, low, or high fan speedsettings. The typical blow dryer with heat control may have a heat ortemperature control switch that has, at most, a low, medium, and highheat setting. Thus, not including the off position, the typical blowdryer may allow for only six different heat and fan speed combinationsselectable by the user.

SUMMARY

In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, ahand-held hair dryer has a body with an air intake and an outlet nozzle.A heating element is located within the body between the air intake andthe outlet nozzle. A handle extends from the body and defines a handgrip. A temperature controller is positioned on a surface of the bodyand is configured to control the temperature of the heating element. Thetemperature controller can lie essentially flush with or below a levelof the surface of the body around the temperature controller. Thetemperature controller can be provided on either side surface of thebody, or could alternatively be provided on a top or bottom of the body.Such positioning allows a user to access and adjust the temperaturecontroller while grasping the handle of the hair dryer. The flush orrecessed configuration of the temperature controller permits the body tobe laid on a surface without altering the selected temperaturecontroller position or damaging the temperature controller.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial thatcan be positioned on a side of the body and can have an outward facingsurface.

In one example, the hair dryer can include a bezel that snaps into anopening in the body and surrounds the temperature controller.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dialsurrounded by a bezel and having an outward facing surface.

In one example, the temperature controller can include an openingthrough the surface of the body, a support element within and spanning awidth of the opening, and a rotatable dial received in the opening andhaving a pivot stem extending through a hole in the support element.

On one example, the hair dryer can include a circuit board mounted to asupport element and coupled to the heating element. The circuit boardcan be configured for controlling the temperature of the heating elementaccording to a position of the temperature controller. In one example,the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial on a surface of thebody.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial on asurface of the body and can have a pivot stem keyed to an opening in avariable resistance device coupled to a circuit board whereby rotationof the dial effects adjustment of the variable resistance device.

In one example, the temperature controller can include an openingthrough the surface of the body, a support element within and extendingacross the opening, a bezel snapped onto the surface of the body andsurrounding the opening, and a rotatable dial surrounded by the bezeland having a central pivot stem extending through a hole in the supportelement, the dial rotatable about the pivot stem.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial that snaps intoa bezel on the body.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial that has a pairof snap fingers that is received through and snaps onto a bezel on thebody.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial with one ormore projections, such as a pair of snap fingers that limit rotationaltravel of the dial between a minimum heat position defining a minimumtemperature setting and a maximum heat position defining a maximumtemperature setting.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial withone or more projections, such as snap fingers, wherein one or both ofthe projections abut against a stop at the minimum heat position and atthe maximum heat position.

In one example, the hair dryer can include a temperature control circuitboard mounted adjacent to a support element on the body and coupled to apivot stem of a rotatable dial of the temperature controller.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a rotatable dial witha pivot stem that is keyed to an opening in a variable resistance deviceon a circuit board whereby rotation of the dial effects adjustment ofthe variable resistance device.

In one example according to the teachings of the present invention, ahand-held hair dryer or blow dryer has a body with an air intake, anoutlet nozzle, and a flow path therebetween. A fan motor and fan arelocated within the body and configured to draw air into the air intake,direct the air along the flow path, and force the air from the bodythrough outlet nozzle. A heating element is located within the bodybetween the air intake and the outlet nozzle. A handle extends from thebody and defines a grip portion. A motor control switch can bepositioned on the handle and configured to operate the fan motor. Atemperature controller is located on a side surface of the body and isconfigured to control the temperature of the heating element. Thetemperature controller can be provided on either side surface of thebody. Such positioning allows a user to access and adjust thetemperature controller while grasping the handle of the hair dryer.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial rotatablebetween a minimum heat position defining a minimum temperature settingand a maximum heat position defining a maximum temperature setting. Thedial can be adjustable to any selected heat position and desiredtemperature setting therebetween.

In one example, the temperature controller can be a dial having anoutward facing surface that lies flush with or below a level of thesurface of the body around the dial.

In one example, a cool shot button can be positioned on the handle andspaced from the motor control switch.

In one example, a cool shot button can be positioned so as to beoperable by one hand of a user grasping the grip portion of the handle,wherein the motor control switch can be positioned so as to be operableby the one hand grasping the grip portion, and wherein the temperaturecontroller can be operable by the other hand of the user with the onehand grasping the grip portion.

In one example, the temperature controller can lie flush with or below alevel of the surface of the body around the temperature controller.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

Objects, features, and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent upon reading the following description in conjunction with thedrawing figures, in which:

FIG. 1 shows a rear perspective view of one example of a hand-held hairdryer or blow dryer constructed in accordance with the teachings of thepresent invention.

FIG. 2 shows a side view of the blow dryer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 3 shows a front view of the blow dryer shown FIG. 1.

FIG. 4 shows a side schematic view of the blow dryer shown in FIG. 1with simplified representations of the basic internal components of theblow dryer.

FIG. 5 shows an exploded perspective view of the temperature controlleron the blow dryer shown in FIG. 1.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show alternate perspective views of the assembledtemperature controller shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 8 shows a cross-section taken along line 8-8 of the temperaturecontroller on the blow dryer shown in FIG. 1.

FIG. 9 shows a cross-section taken along line 9-9 of the temperaturecontroller on the blow dryer shown in FIG. 1.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION OF THE DISCLOSURE

The disclosed hand-held hair dryer or blow dryer employs controls thatsolve or improve upon one or more of the above-noted and/or otherproblems and disadvantages with prior known blow dryers. In one example,the disclosed blow dryer has a temperature controller in the form of arotary dial on the side of the body for adjusting the temperaturesetting of the blow dryer. In one example, the temperature controllerhas an outward facing surface that is flush with or below a level of asurface of the body around the temperature controller. In one example,the disclosed blow dryer has a temperature controller that can beoperated by one hand of a user while grasping the handle of andoperating the blow dryer with their other hand. In one example, thedisclosed blow dryer has a fan motor control positioned on the handle ofthe blow dryer and a temperature controller positioned on the body ofthe blow dryer. In one example, the temperature controller can beoperated or adjusted by the user with one hand while their other handgrasps the handle of the blow dryer. These and other objects, features,and advantages of the present invention will become apparent uponreading this disclosure.

Turning now to the drawings, FIGS. 1-3 shows one example of a hand-heldhair dryer or blow dryer 20 constructed in accordance with the teachingsof the present invention. In the disclosed example, the blow dryer 20has a body 22 that is generally circular in cross-section, but which hasa varying diameter over its length. The body 22 has a top 24, a bottom26, a front end 28, and a rear end 30. The front end 28 has an openingthat defines a nozzle outlet 32 for the blow dryer. The rear end 30 hasan opening that defines an air intake 34 for the blow dryer. A handle 36extends downward from the bottom 26 of the body 22. The body 22 also hasa pair of opposed left and right sides 38 extending from the front end28 to the rear end 30. As is known in the art, the body 22 generally hasa larger size or diameter near the rear end 30 and tapers to a smallerdiameter or size toward the front end 28. This configuration can helpwith increasing the velocity of air exiting the nozzle outlet 32. Thehandle 36 has an elongate configuration this is shaped and smoothlycontoured to form a grip or grasping portion that can be comfortablygrasped and held by a user.

The configuration and construction of the body 22 and handle 36 can varyconsiderably within the spirit and scope of the present invention. Manyaspects of the shape and configuration of the body 22 in this examplemay be ornamental in nature and not necessarily tied to the function ofthe blow dryer, and particularly not tied to the function of theinvention as disclosed herein. In addition, the materials utilized tofabricate the body 22 can also vary. In many cases, blow dryers of thistype are formed of molded plastic or other such materials. Higher-endblow dryers may sometimes be formed of stainless steel, aluminum, orother more expensive materials. The blow dryer 20 disclosed anddescribed herein is not intended to be limited to a specific body shapeor configuration, or to specific materials to form the body.

In general, the blow dryer 20 has a fan speed control or fan motorcontrol 40 provided on a front surface 42 of the handle 36. The motorcontrol 40 in this example includes a slide switch 44 seated in a slotor pocket 46 in the handle 36. The motor control 40 can be providedhaving an off position, a low fan speed position, and a high fan speedposition. Alternatively, the fan motor control 40 can be provided havingmore than two motor speed positions. The fan motor control 40 can bepositioned along the handle 36 so that user's index finger or anotherfinger can manipulate the switch 44 while the user's hand grasps thehandle. Alternatively, the user can select the appropriate or desiredfan speed using either hand, prior to grasping handle 36.

The blow dryer 20 in this example also has a cool shot button 50positioned on a back surface 52 of the handle 36. The cool shot button50 protrudes through the handle 36 and is positioned near the top of thehandle near where the handle meets the bottom 26 of the body 22. Thecool shot button 50 is best positioned on the handle 36 so that a usercan depress the button, as explained below, during use of the blow dryerand while grasping the handle. The placement of the cool shot button 50in this example is such that the user can depress the button with thethumb of the hand grasping the handle 36. The button 50 can be placed inalternate locations on the blow dryer 20, if desired. Alternatively, thecool shot button 50 may be optional and not provided as a part of theblow dryer 20.

In accordance with the teachings of the present invention, the disclosedblow dryer 20 also has a temperature controller 60 positioned on theleft side 38 a of the body 22. As will be evident to those havingordinary skill in the art, the temperature controller 60 can also bepositioned on the right side 38 b of the body, if desired. It is alsopossible that the temperature controller is positioned on the top 24 orthe bottom 26 of the body 22 within the spirit and scope of the presentinvention. In the disclosed example, the temperature controller 60 has arotatable or rotary dial 62 with an outward facing or front surface 64.As described in greater detail below, the temperature controller 60 canbe manipulated to adjust the air temperature produced by the blow dryer20. The user can manipulate the temperature controller 60 with theirfree hand while their other hand grasps the handle of the blow dryer 20during use. Thus, the user can adjust the temperature of air exiting theblow dryer on the fly as needed without having to release the handle orput down the blow dryer, as prior art blow dryers require.

FIG. 4 illustrates a simplified schematic view of the blow dryer 20 anddepicts the typical internal components of the blow dryer. In thisexample, an air passageway or air flow path 70 is formed along alengthwise axis of the body 22 between the air intake 34 and the nozzleoutlet 32. A heating element 72 is disposed in the airflow path 70upstream of the nozzle outlet 32. As will be evident to those havingordinary skill in the art, the heating element 72 can be positionedvirtually anywhere within the body 22 as long as air flowing through theblow dryer is heated by the heating element. The heating element 72 isnot described in greater detail herein. The configuration andconstruction of the heating element 72 can vary considerably within thespirit and scope of the present invention, as long as the heatingelement is capable of heating air moved through the body 22 along theair flow path 70.

A fan motor 74 is also disposed within the body 22 and in this exampleis positioned near the air intake 34 within the air flow path 70. A fan76 is coupled to and driven by the fan motor 74 to draw air into thebody through the air intake and force the air through and along theairflow path 70 toward the nozzle outlet 32. As used herein, the variousterms describing the fan motor 74, fan 76, motor speed, and fan speedcan refer generally to the fan and motor as a unit and how fast the fanrotates and how much air the fan moves. The fan 76 rotates faster andmoves more air at higher speeds and rotates slower and moves less air atslower speeds, as is known in the art. The fan motor 74 and fan 76 arealso not described in greater detail herein. Again, the configurationand construction of the fan motor 74 and fan 76 can vary considerablywithin the spirit and scope of the present invention, as long as the fanand motor are capable of moving air through the body 22 along the airflow path 70.

FIG. 4 also shows in simplified schematic form a number of wire leadsconnecting the various controls of the blow dryer 20 to the internalcomponents. For example, the cool shot button 50 is shown connected bywire leads 80 to the heating element 72. This is shown to represent thatthe cool shot button 50 can be manipulated to turn off the heatingelement when the cool shot button is depressed, as desired by a user.Similarly, the motor control 42 and slide switch 44 is shown connectedby wire leads 82 to the fan motor 74. This is shown to represent thatthe switch 44 can be manipulated to turn the fan motor 74, and thus thefan 76, on and off and also to adjust the speed of the fan. Anelectrical cord 84 is shown extending from the bottom 86 of the handle36, whereby the blow dryer 20 can be plugged in for use. The electricalcord 84 is connected to the various controls of the blow dryer as isknown in the art, though no such specific connections are depictedherein in the schematic of FIG. 4. As discussed in greater detail below,the blow dryer 20 can include one or more printed circuit boards orother electronic devices to interconnect the various controls andinternal components of the blow dryer and/or to add operationalfeatures, as desired.

An exploded view of the temperature controller 60 is illustrated in FIG.5 and depicts the components of the controller. In this example, therotatable dial 62 is a circular disc with a back side 90 opposite theoutward or front facing surface 64. The dial 62 also has a stem 92located at the center of the dial and projecting rearward from the backside 90. A free end 94 of the stem 92 has a non-circular or keyed shapein this example. The proximal end 96 of the stem 92 is circular orround. With reference to FIGS. 2 and 5, the outward facing surface 64 ofthe dial 62 has a finger depression 98 formed therein, which can be seenalso from the back side 90 as a dimple. A pair of snap fingers 100project rearward from opposite edges of the dial 62. The snap fingers100 are flexible and each has a catch tab 102 projecting radiallyoutward from the end of the respective snap finger.

The temperature controller 60 in this example also has a bezel 104 thatattaches to a surface of the body 22. In this example, the bezel 104attaches to the left side 38 of the body 22 and surrounds an opening 105in the body. The bezel 104 in this example is generally circular and hasa cylindrical skirt or ring portion 106 and an annular flange portion108. The annular flange portion 108 projects radially outward from oneend of the skirt portion 106. The bezel 104 has an open center 110 witha diameter sized to receive the dial 64 therein. In a disclosed example,three catch legs 112 project rearward from the skirt portion 106 awayfrom the flange portion 108. The three catch legs 112 are spaced apartequidistant from one another around the circumference of the bezel 104.As with the aforementioned snap fingers 100, each of the catch legs 112also has an outward projecting catch tab 114 at a free end of therespective catch leg. A nub 116 protrudes rearward from a surface of theannular flange portion 108. A corresponding notch 118 is provided withinthe opening 105 in the body 22. When the bezel is installed on the body,the nub 116 aligns with and seats in the notch 118 to indicate properorientation of the bezel 104 when attached to the body.

A cylindrical wall 120 extends rearward from the body 22 into and aroundthe opening 105. In this example, three guide tracks or races 122 arerecessed into the cylindrical wall 120 and coincide with the position ofthe respective catch legs 112 on the bezel 104. The guide tracks 122assist in installing and properly aligning the bezel 104 in the opening105 when installed.

In a disclosed example, a printed circuit board 124 is mounted to theblow dryer 20 on the interior of the body 22 and across the opening 105.In this example, the printed circuit board 124 is an elongate objectwith opposed ends. Each of the opposed ends has a fastener opening 126formed therethrough for receiving a screw or fastener 128 to secure theprinted circuit board to the body 22. A support bar 129 spans the widthof the opening 105 and is connected to or formed as an integral part ofthe cylindrical wall 120 within the opening. In this example, thesupport bar 129 has a stepped out central region 130 formed with a stemhole 132 therethrough. The stem hole 132 defines the center of theopening 105 and is configured to receive the stem 92 of the dial 62 whenthe temperature controller 60 is assembled. The printed circuit board124 in this example has a puck-shaped potentiometer or variableresistance device 134 mounted to the board. The variable resistancedevice 134 has a central receptacle or way 136 therein. The keyedportion 94 of the stem 92 is shaped to correspond with the shape of thereceptacle or way 136. The key/way arrangement of the stem portion 94and receptacle 136 remits the dial 62 to move internal components andvary resistance within the variable resistance device 134.

FIGS. 6 and 7 show the temperature controller 60 in an assembled stateand including each of the components shown in FIG. 5. FIGS. 8 and 9illustrate the assembled and installed temperature controller 60 incross-section. When assembled, the dial 62 is snapped into the opencenter 110 of the bezel 104. The catch tabs 102 on the snap fingers 100forcibly slide through and past the skirt portion 106 on the bezel 104and then snap over a back edge 137 of the skirt. Likewise, the bezel 104is snapped into the opening 105 in the body 22 when installed. The catchlegs 112 forcibly slide through the cylindrical wall along the guidetracks 122 when the bezel is inserted. The catch tabs 114 of the catchlegs 112 snap into place over a back edge 138 on the cylindrical wall120.

When assembled, the screws are fasteners 128 are inserted through thefastener openings 126 in the printed circuit board 124 and are securedin fastener receptacles 140 provided in the back edge 138 of thecylindrical wall 120. When assembled, the cylindrical proximal end 96 ofthe stem 92 lies within the stem hole 132 in the support bar 129. Asnoted above, the keyed free end 94 of the stem 92 is received in the way136 in the variable resistance device 134. Rotation of the dial 62 willalter the resistance characteristics of the variable resistance device134 to change the temperature setting of the heating element 72.

The dial 62 of the temperature controller 60 is rotated to adjust thetemperature setting for the heating element 72 from a minimum, or even ano heat, setting to a maximum heat setting permitted by the heatingelement. Though not shown herein, markings can be provided both on thedial and on the body, either on the side 38 a or the bezel 104, toindicate the relative positioning and thus the selected heat setting ofthe dial between these minimum and maximum settings. The variableresistance device 134 can be continuously variable so that anytemperature setting can be selected by a user between the minimum andmaximum settings, thus permitting essentially infinite temperatureadjustment between the two settings. Alternatively, a finite selectiveresistance device can be provided allowing selection from among multiplediscrete heat settings, depending on the position of the dial 62.However, use of the rotary dial 62 allows for a large number ofselectable settings, such as 10 or more discrete, optional, heatsettings. Combining this type of temperature controller 60 with themotor controller 40, and its two or three speed settings, allows theuser a very large number of adjustment settings. The combined fan motorspeed and heat settings can be configured to permit 40, 60, or even aninfinite number of different selectable options, depending on the typeof resistance device utilized.

In another aspect of the present invention, the dial 62 is positionedand installed in a manner such that the outward facing surface 64 iseither flush with or below a level of the surface of the body 22 andbezel that surround the opening 105. The combination of the dialelevation and the shape of the bezel 104 results in the outward facingsurface 64 of the dial being flush with or recessed relative to thesurrounding portions of the blow dryer 20. In the disclosed example, thegenerally cylindrical shape of the body 22 results in the side 38 abeing curved, not flat. As a result, the bezel 104 also is not flat andinstead is contoured to follow the shape of the side 38 a. To achievethis, the annular flange portion 108 has an undulating or wave contour.Two opposed sides 150 of the flange are elevated so as to be angled orflared forward (see FIGS. 6 and 9) and the other two opposed sides 152,oriented orthogonal to the elevated sides, are pinned back so as to beflattened or angled rearward (see FIGS. 6 and 8). The resultant shape ofthe annular flange 108 follows the contour of the body 22 surroundingthe temperature controller 60. The resultant position of the dial 62,and particularly the outward facing surface 64, is that the dial isflush with or below a level of the surface of the side 38 a, if the bodysurface were continued without the presence of the temperaturecontroller 60.

One benefit achieved by this configuration of the temperature controlleris that the dial is recessed relative to the body 22. Thus, the blowdryer 20 can be set or rested on a surface, and particularly can be seton the side 38 a, without causing any damage to the temperaturecontroller 60 and also without inadvertently readjusting the setting ofthe dial 62. Another benefit achieved from this configuration of thetemperature controller 60 is that the user can easily locate the dial 62and adjust the temperature setting without having to look at thetemperature controller 60 during use of the blow dryer and withouthaving to release their grip on the handle 36.

Though not shown or described in detail herein, any number of stops canbe provided to positively limit the travel of the dial 62 of thetemperature controller 60. The stops can be created to limit travel tothe minimum temperature setting, and not beyond the minimum temperaturesetting in one direction of rotation of the dial. Likewise, the stopscan be created to limit travel to a higher maximum temperature setting,and not beyond the maximum temperature setting in the opposite directionof rotation of the dial. The stops can be provided on the cylindricalwall 120, on the back edge of the bezel 104, and particularly the skirtportion 106 in this example, or the like. The stops can also be providedon the support bar 129. Such stops can be simple projections thatinteract with and contact the snap fingers 100 or other projection onthe dial 62 when the dial is rotated (relative to the bezel 104 in thisexample or relative to the body 22). In another example, stops can beprovided internal to the variable resistance device 134 so as to limittravel or rotation of the dial 62 in each rotation direction.

The temperature controller 60 can also be electrically connected to theheating element 72 via wire leads 154, shown schematically in FIG. 5.Thus, actuation of the dial 62 can affect the heat setting of theheating element 72. The cool shot button 50, and particularly the wireleads 80, can be directed to the printed circuit board 124 instead ofdirectly to the heating element 72. The printed circuit board 124 can beconfigured to turn off the heating element when the cool shot button 50is depressed. The fan motor control 40 can also be wired to the printedcircuit board 124 instead of directly to the motor 74, if desired. Theprinted circuit board 124 can be configured to add functional and/orsafety characteristics to the blow dryer 20, and particularly withrespect to the interaction between the various controls as desired.

Details in the configuration and construction of the temperaturecontroller 60 as described herein can vary within the spirit and scopeof the present invention. How the dial 62 connects with the body 22 canvary. The bezel 104 can be eliminated or can be reconfigured to attachto the body in different ways. Likewise, the dial 62 can be reconfiguredto attach either to the body 22 or to the bezel 104 in different waysother than the snap fingers 100 and catch legs 112 described herein.Likewise, details of the opening 105, including the cylindrical wall 120and support bar 129, can also vary from the example shown and describedherein.

Although certain blow dryer controls, components, arrangements, andmethods have been described herein in accordance with the teachings ofthe present disclosure, the scope of coverage of this patent is notlimited thereto. On the contrary, this patent covers all embodiments ofthe teachings of the disclosure that fairly fall within the scope ofpermissible equivalents.

1. A hair dryer comprising: a body having an air intake and an outletnozzle; a heating element within the body between the air intake and theoutlet nozzle; a handle extending from the body and defining a handgrip; and a temperature controller on a surface of the body configuredto control the temperature of the heating element, the temperaturecontroller lying essentially flush with or below a level of the surfaceof the body around the temperature controller.
 2. A hair dryer accordingto claim 1, wherein the temperature controller is a rotatable dialpositioned on a side of the body and having an outward facing surface.3. A hair dryer according to claim 1, further comprising a bezel thatsnaps into an opening in the body and surrounds the temperaturecontroller.
 4. A hair dryer according to claim 3, wherein thetemperature controller is a rotatable dial surrounded by the bezel andhaving an outward facing surface.
 5. A hair dryer according to claim 1,wherein the temperature controller further comprises: an opening throughthe surface of the body; a support element within and spanning a widthof the opening; and a rotatable dial received in the opening and havinga pivot stem extending through a hole in the support element.
 6. A hairdryer according to claim 5, further comprising a circuit board mountedto the support element and coupled to the heating element, the circuitboard configured for controlling the temperature of the heating elementaccording to a rotational position of the dial.
 7. A hair dryeraccording to claim 6, wherein the pivot stem on the dial is keyed to anopening in a variable resistance device coupled to the circuit boardwhereby rotation of the dial effects adjustment of the variableresistance device.
 8. A hair dryer according to claim 1, wherein thetemperature controller further comprises: an opening through the surfaceof the body; a support element within and spanning a width of theopening; a bezel snapped onto the surface of the body and surroundingthe opening; and a rotatable dial surrounded by the bezel and having acentral pivot stem extending through a hole in the support element, thedial rotatable about the pivot stem.
 9. A hair dryer according to claim8, wherein the dial snaps into the bezel.
 10. A hair dryer according toclaim 8, wherein the dial has a pair of snap fingers that is receivedthrough and snaps onto the bezel.
 11. A hair dryer according to claim10, wherein the pair of snap fingers limit rotation of the dial betweena minimum heat position defining a minimum temperature setting and amaximum heat position defining a maximum temperature setting.
 12. A hairdryer according to claim 11, wherein one or both of the pair of snapfingers abuts against a stop at the minimum heat position and at themaximum heat position.
 13. A hair dryer according to claim 8, furthercomprising a temperature control circuit board mounted adjacent thesupport element and coupled to the pivot stem of the dial.
 14. A hairdryer according to claim 13, wherein the pivot stem is keyed to anopening in a variable resistance device on the circuit board wherebyrotation of the dial effects adjustment of the variable resistancedevice.
 15. A hand-held hair dryer comprising: a body having an airintake, an outlet nozzle, and a flow path therebetween; a motor withinthe body configured to draw air into the air intake, direct the airalong the flow path, and force the air from the body through outletnozzle; a heating element within the body between the air intake and theoutlet nozzle; a handle extending from the body and defining a gripportion; a motor control switch on the handle configured to operate themotor; and a temperature controller on a surface of the body andconfigured to control the temperature of the heating element.
 16. A hairdryer according to claim 15, wherein the temperature controller is adial rotatable between a minimum heat position defining a minimumtemperature setting and a maximum heat position defining a maximumtemperature setting, the dial adjustable to any selected heat positionand desired temperature setting therebetween.
 17. A hair dryer accordingto claim 16, wherein an outward facing surface of the dial lies flushwith or below a level of the surface of the body around the dial.
 18. Ahair dryer according to claim 15, further comprising a cool shot buttonon the handle and spaced from the motor control switch.
 19. A hair dryeraccording to claim 18, wherein the cool shot button is positioned so asto be operable by one hand of a user grasping the grip portion of thehandle, wherein the motor control switch is positioned so as to beoperable by the one hand grasping the grip portion, and wherein thetemperature controller is operable by the other hand of the user withthe one hand grasping the grip portion.
 20. A hair dryer according toclaim 15, wherein the temperature controller lies flush with or below alevel of the surface of the body around the temperature controller.